Ohio State notes: Tressel says Boeckman still in picture at QB
Chris Assenheimer | The Chronicle-Telegram
COLUMBUS — Todd Boeckman was on the field more than he was last week, but it’s becoming increasingly evident that the senior’s grasp on the starting quarterback job is gone.
For the second straight game, freshman phenom Terrelle Pryor was under center for the first snap, while Boeckman, who led Ohio State to a Big Ten title and national championship appearance last year, played just two series in the second half.
Boeckman, who was on the field for only two plays last week against Troy, was effective during his brief spell, completing 5 of 9 attempts and throwing a fourth-quarter touchdown pass (31 yards) to Brian Robiskie.
But Pryor outshined him again, accounting for three touchdowns (two rushing scores), while moving the Buckeye offense effectively all day.
“First of all, I think Terrelle deserves everything he’s gotten,” said Boeckman, who was booed by Ohio State fans when he entered the game against Troy, but not on Saturday. “If I want to help this team, I’ve got to get better.”
Pryor was not fazed by another starting assignment. He set a school record for rushing yards by a true freshman quarterback (97), becoming the first OSU QB to rush for two TDs in a game since Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith in 2005 against Iowa. His throwing arm was on the mark for most of the day as well.
“It felt really comfortable,” Pryor said of the starting nod. “I want to keep it going and I know I have to keep proving myself.”
Though it appears a forgone conclusion that Pryor will continue to lead the Buckeye offense, head coach Jim Tressel would not commit to him as the full-time starter.
“I envision us being a balanced team,” Tressel said. “Whichever quarterback allows us to do that better is going to be on the field.”
Next up
Ohio State faces its biggest challenge of the season since the USC shellacking, traveling to the hostile environment at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis., next Saturday to take on the ninth-ranked Badgers.
Since 1999, Wisconsin has beaten the Buckeyes four times in seven meetings, with OSU winning 38-17 last year. The Badgers are the only Big Ten team that Tressel owns a losing record against (2-3).
“They understand that next week is step No. 2 in the Big Ten,” Tressel said of his players. “It’s going to be a great challenge.”
It’s one that many in the nation believe Ohio State will not meet.
“Whatever people are saying about our team, saying we’re dead,” Pryor said. “We’ll find out this week coming up who’s dead.”
Elyria connection
Elyria native Ken Kaiser filled in as a member of the chain gang Saturday.
The 1967 EHS grad and OSU alum lives in Upper Arlington and works for the university as an assistant director of recreation and intramural sports.
Buckeye bits
Robiskie had his best game of the season, hauling in eight passes for 90 yards and two touchdowns.
The senior entered the day with just 12 receptions for 113 yards and two TDs, hampered by a sore shoulder through the first four games, but said the injury has mended sufficiently.
“I’ve been feeling good the past couple weeks,” Robiskie said.
• Tight end Rory Nicol missed most of the game after rolling his ankle in the first quarter. Tressel said he did not think the injury was season-ending but that it was possible Nicol would miss time.
• Running back Maurice Wells was not in uniform after failing to practice all week with a back ailment.
• Wisconsin entered the game with the nation’s fourth-best turnover margin (plus 11), but Ohio State (plus three) had the edge in the department, 3-1. The Buckeyes recovered a pair of fumbles and intercepted a pass, while the Gophers recovered a fumble. OSU converted all three turnovers into scores — two touchdowns and a field goal.
• Ohio State, which outgained Minnesota 414-268, produced a
season-high 279 rushing yards, eclipsing the 251 yards on the ground in the season opener against Youngstown State.
• Ohio State hasn’t lost to Minnesota since the 2000 season, a string of six straight wins for the Buckeyes, who upped their dominance of the all-time series to 41-7 — 21-3 in Columbus.
• OSU has won seven of its eight Big Ten openers under Tressel, winning its last four by a combined score of 151-40.
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.
THUMBS UP
Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State quarterback
Making his second start for the Buckeyes, the freshman completed 8 of 13 passes for 70 yards and a touchdown, while also running eight times for 97 yards and a pair of scores. It seemed as if every play Pryor made was meaningful — he picked up five rushing first downs and three passing first downs to go with his three touchdowns.
THUMBS DOWN
Chris Bunders, Minnesota right guard
The freshman was whistled for a false start on third-and-1 at the OSU 15 during the Golden Gophers’ second drive of the game. The Gophers were trailing 7-0 and quarterback Adam Weber’s 3-yard pass to Ben Kuznia would have given them a first down at the 11. Instead Minnesota had to settle for a field goal, giving the OSU defense a confidence boost.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Chris “Beanie” Wells gave the nation another jaw-dropping hurdle move to ooh and ahh over during Ohio State’s scoring drive late in the third quarter. Wells broke free in the middle of the field and jumped over Minnesota safety Kyle Theret during a 21-yard gain to the Minnesota 14-yard line. The Buckeyes scored a touchdown on the drive to take a 20-3 lead.
— Shaun Bennett
THE PRYOR WATCH
Taking a quick look at OSU freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor’s season …
SATURDAY’S OUTING: Started in place of Todd Boeckman for the second straight week and led the Buckeyes on a 75-yard drive to open the game, capping it on a 33-yard touchdown run. On the day, Pryor ran for 97 yards on eight carries, adding another rushing TD from 1 yard out in the third quarter. He completed 8 of 13 passes for 70 yards and one TD.
SEASON PASSING: 29-of-46 (63 percent) for 296 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
SEASON RUSHING: 47 carries, 292 yards, three touchdowns.
TERRELLE’S TAKE: “You’re the leader of the team (as the starting quarterback). I like that. It’s a privilege.”
OPPOSING TEAM’S TAKE: “Pryor is an outstanding player and we knew that coming into the game. He is a gifted football player and he has a tremendous future. I saw No. 10 of Texas (Vince Young) play and they’re similar players.” — Minnesota head coach Tim Brewster.
— Chris Assenheimer
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Filed by Chris Assenheimer | The Chronicle-Telegram September 28th, 2008 in Sports. Popularity: 3% |
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